Snow
in May.
Joe and Gabby’s wedding at Wylder Resort in Hope Valley, California, began with snow. Before Gabby put on her dress, we went outside for a few photographs and let the morning be part of the story.
There would be a first look in the trees, a ride to the ceremony with her father and stepdad, vows on a rock overlooking the valley, and a first dance with family gathered around.
Snow in May.
It was snowing on the morning of Joe and Gabby’s wedding at Wylder Resort in Hope Valley, California. Before Gabby got dressed, I took her outside for a few fun photographs. I love the joy in this one—snow falling all around her, and the wedding day just beginning.
A snowy beginning.
I made a few scenic photographs of the snow, too. The trees and the creek tell you something about where we were and what the morning felt like.
A little silver in the woods.
This silver trailer was part of our setting for the day. We made photographs inside and around it, with snow covering the deck and the woods beyond.
A few things for the weekend.
Inside the trailer, I photographed the things that came in the gift bag. A blanket, hand warmers, snacks, and a bag with their initials and wedding date. The weekend notes welcomed everyone to Wylder Resort in Hope Valley.
A few words before the ceremony.
While the morning was getting underway, Joe sat down to write his vows. I like having this quiet part of the story before the words are spoken at the ceremony.
A small detail, close up.
For a close photograph of the rings, I used the top of a suitcase. A simple detail, with the texture and shape of the case around them.
Watch who is watching.
Gabby was doing her makeup, and her mother was watching her get ready. I photographed her mom’s reflection in the mirror. Gabby is in the frame, but it is her mother’s expression that I wanted you to see.
Everyone close.
Joe’s grandmothers sat with Gabby on the bed, laughing together. These are the family moments I want to make room for while everyone is getting ready.
A portrait in the snow.
Outside again, I made this portrait of Joe while it was snowing. The side of the trailer gives us his reflection as well—a little different way to see the groom.
The doorway becomes the frame.
Then a portrait in the doorway. The trailer gave us another frame, with the warm interior behind Joe and the outdoor light reaching him at the door.
Before they come together.
This was the beginning of their first look. Joe stood waiting along the path, with the trees and the remaining snow around him.
Let the moment happen.
When a couple comes together for the first look, I like to give them a little space. I keep photographing, but I let them have that moment. Here, Joe took Gabby’s hand and gave her a turn.
Out in the field.
We went out into a field and put the mountains, still covered with snow, behind them. I wanted a photograph that kept the feeling of this place along with the two of them.
The people beside him.
We made time for family photographs, too. This is Joe’s family gathered together, with a little of the snowy landscape still around them.
And the people beside her.
Then Gabby’s family. A few portraits of the people closest to them are an important part of keeping the whole wedding story.
Her dad is waiting.
Gabby got ready in a yurt. Here she is coming out to see her dad for the first time in her wedding dress. I stayed with her as she reached the door.
The other side of the moment.
And this is her dad waiting outside. I want both sides of a moment like this: the bride coming out, and the person waiting to see her.
On the way to the ceremony.
Gabby rode up to the ceremony site on the back of a truck with her father and her stepdad. All three of them together on the tailgate made a wonderful little part of the day’s story.
Up on the rock.
They were married up on a rock overlooking the valley. This is their kiss during the ceremony, with the mountains opening out behind them and their family close by.
Married, and celebrating.
Then they came back down the aisle, smiling and celebrating. I like how the people around them become part of the photograph, too.
Just the two of them again.
After the ceremony, we made a few more photographs together. Joe lifted Gabby up, with that beautiful valley behind them. A little playfulness after the formal part of the day.
Their moment on the mountain.
One more celebration up on the rock. The snowy morning had become this bright mountain afternoon, and I wanted to keep a little of their excitement in the photographs.
Something to take home.
These custom cups were made for their guests, with their initials and the wedding date on them. I brought the cups close for a detail that still includes the two of them.
A portrait in the warm wood.
Back inside the trailer, I made a few portraits of Gabby. The warm wood and the light from the windows gave these photographs a different feeling from the mountain views outside.
A little sweetness.
A photograph of the cake before the evening moved on. The greenery around it and the little hearts on top are part of their story, too.
Bride and groom.
Their bride and groom bibs made a fun photograph at the table. I like having a little humor in the wedding story along with the quieter moments.
The people who were there.
We finished with their first dance outside on a small wooden deck. Their family stood around watching as Joe gave Gabby a turn. From snow in the morning to this dance at night, it was a day worth keeping.